Page 94 of The Hunter's Empire

"Yeah!"

Keith's voice suddenly appears in the background. "You realize she's been planning this wedding since five minutes after I proposed."

Aurelia gasps. "That is not true."

"There are spreadsheets."

I close my eyes. "Oh no."

"See?" Keith says. "You get it."

Aurelia lets out an offended noise before growing quieter. "Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you, Zora."

"What is it?"

"I want you to be my Maid of Honor." The words catch me completely off guard.

"Aurelia..."

"There isn't anyone else I'd rather have standing beside me."

I smile. "I'd be honored."

The relief in her laugh is immediate. "Good."

"You didn't think I'd say no, did you?"

"No." A pause. "Maybe a little."

I shake my head. "Never."

Her enthusiasm immediately returns. "Then you'll be here next month."

I blink. "What?"

"The wedding is in less than two months. We need to start planning."

"Aurelia."

"It's not that much time."

Keith immediately cuts in. "It's absolutely that much time."

"Ignore him."

"You should not ignore me."

I laugh. "In two months?"

"Two months." Aurelia confirms. "And I need my Maid of Honor."

The argument that follows lasts several more minutes, ending with Aurelia assigning me responsibilities whether I agree to them or not.

By the time we finally say goodbye, my cheeks hurt from smiling. The call ends, and silence gradually returns to the office. But this time it feels different. Peaceful.

Chapter 21

Zora